Hey Guys and Gals, I'm starting this forum in the hopes
that adaptive snowboarders and skiers around the world will connect and
share their knowledge and tips on everything that has to do with working
with students or equipment. For me at least, there are some times when
I could use some tips with certain disabilities or pieces of equipment
so just throw down whatcha got. Also put what ability plus program you
work at or volunteer at and where that is. Thanks,
Erik B. - Waterville Valley N.H. Adaptive Program

Hey Erik,
Great idea about the post for adaptive. I agree with you that at times i have a hard time or would at least like a tip or two with working with equiptment. One thing I want to know is how to teather a bi ski on the flat parts in the trail while on a snowboard. Currently we always have a skier take over becasue we just stop. If anyone knows post it up!

at mt high, ive seen a female snowboarder with the walkers. she had full mobility. i think that in certain conditions with the poles, she would have better traction that I would have. it looked different. but it was still cool.

at mt high, ive seen a female snowboarder with the walkers. she had full mobility. i think that in certain conditions with the poles, she would have better traction that I would have. it looked different. but it was still cool.

That's Dianna, I get to take some credit in teaching her. Those things she uses are called hand riggers. She bought her own, can ski and snowboard. She needs the riggers for balance. She doesn't have a lot of strength in her legs. She even competed this year in a small comp.

That's Dianna, I get to take some credit in teaching her. Those things she uses are called hand riggers. She bought her own, can ski and snowboard. She needs the riggers for balance. She doesn't have a lot of strength in her legs. She even competed this year in a small comp.

bravo to Diana and to you.

i was going to ask her about them. but she got off on the side of the lift.

She's a lot of fun. Made a video of her this year. Was suppose to make another but never got around to it...probably should.

As for getting certified, it's no walk in the park. You have to have clinic hours and teaching hours just like with Level 1 certification but..you need to know your disabilities, red flags, medications, equipment, show you can use that equipment properly, etc. I spent many days this season teaching adaptive students and in clinics. It still didn't feel like enough. I think Mt. High now has the most certified Adaptive Snowboarders on the West Coast.

My most challenging student this season was a young boy who was not only Autistic but had a visual impairment. Challenging but very rewarding.

Thanks Newfounder for posting this thread. I am a girl skier from Argentina and I started teaching to adaptive DD skiers in 2004 at Heavenly. Now I work at Cerro Catedral in Bariloche, Argentina.

As regards tips, I believe that nothing that anyone tells you could be done with all of your adaptive students. Each case will be different and you should be able to open your eyes and ears to understand the student´s (or parents´) needs and try to fullfill them and have a great time together! Follow your intuiton and your heart and never ever ever push your students too hard to try to achieve goals that are too difficult for them, just set small goals and you´ll see how your adaptive students enjoy the process and feel excellent when achieving them. (Same will happen to you!!! )

i have scoliosis but it doesnt limit my phyical abilities now although im gonna need surgery on it in a year and im hopping that i can continue to snowboard like i have after my surgery, like hitting small kickers and boxes...the doctor says that i can go back to riding just but i just dont want to get my hopes up

At my snowsports school, I do mostly snowboard adaptive, and stand-up ski adaptives. I have taught students with skeletal deformities, students with dwarfism, and students who have had strokes. I have assisted with veterans who have had amputations and bi-skiers with CP, but our sit-ski is so broken down and heavy, that I do not often take the reins. I have also become somewhat of a specialist in teaching children with autism, and have learned through teaching all of these students that the most important thing is helping the students set realistic and achievable goals. When you ask them what they want to accomplish, it gives them ownership of their snowsports learning, and builds confidence.

To all the Adaptive Instructors out there,
Just wanting to give u guys a massive shout out for ur work.
I have a brother with Autism and he was able to come out to the mountain with us last year and learnt to ski with the the your help.

finally able to hit the slopes with the whole family.
Cheers Guys
Love your work!

To any of those who are wanting to get into adaptive sports, it's very reward to both you and the student. You'll be amazed how positive these students are and if they are not, it's your job to boost their confidence and make them feel there is nothing they can't do.

It is not only physically demanding but mentally as well. If you do not have patience this is not for you. If you plan on working with the mono and biskiers, you will need strength for the lifting and manuvering of the equipment.

I'm really glad there has been such a large response to my post, and I'm glad there are so many adaptive skiers and boarders here at Sierra. Last year I taught a teenager my age with muscle mass deficiency, by the end of the day, he had gone from blue square to moguls. I think that working up slowly helped (I had had previous lessons with him) but once he started, he didn't want to stop. He also liked going behind a snowboarder because he said it was easier to follow the boards trail.

A mod needs to flag yuhui's post as spam. Sad and inappropriate attempt at whoring points

And u other guys are awesome. I worked parttime during my college days at a daycare working with autistic kids. It was hella tiring just doing crafts, I can't even imagine wut kinda dedication u adaptive instructors have.

Japan is pretty behind when it comes to disabilities. Haven't seen much (or any...) adaptive skiing or boarding where I've gone which is a shame.

Theres a place to look at the adaptive program in general. If you look through the pictues you can see some of the things that we can do. We can teach and be taught snowboarding. It depends on what the students needs are. For ex: we can teather the biski with the student in it or we can help a student learn to snowboard using equipment.

Nice, this is all very interesting reading this. As a recent complete paraplegic i have been looking into as much information i can about adaptive programs for myself to get into some sit skiing.
Hoping i can catch the end of the Aus season and get into it.
Its great to see people sharing their experience with the adaptive programs! :)

My mom tries to get me to take my brother who has classical autism up to the hill with me but he doesn't want to do it.

BTW I also have Asperger's/whatever the hell you want to call it and I'm also a kinesthetic learner - I picked up the basics quite quickly and I've progressed quite nicely for the past 6 years of boarding.

LD, heck most disabilities is frowned upon in some Asian cultures - my mom was somewhat open to outside help but she did her best to keep me out of trouble. I had teachers tell me I wouldn't make it to college, and psychiatrists who recommended me to be in a group home. They should see me now - I'm in college and I'm doing fine on my own.

Can I ask an honest question here ... one thing that always kept me from teaching adaptive is the limited time as a part-time instructor I get on the snow and when I get it, I'd like to ride.

I've progressed now at my mountain where I am a trainer and I get to teach/do upper level riding. Even the lessons I get I tend to be upper level as I've built a client base over a few years.

This isn't meant to be an insensitive post ... If I were full time, you betcha -- this would be a no-brainer for me. But I am a part-timer (with a busy family/day job life), I'd be interested to hear how adaptive pros get their kicks.

Many Adaptive programs at Resorts are week day only due to the crowds on weekends. There have been exceptions made. If I end up going back to part time, I most likely won't get the chance to work with Adaptive students.

Should I post adaptive pics/vids here or in the Photo and/or video threads?

Should I post adaptive pics/vids here or in the Photo and/or video threads?

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I would say post both the pictures and the videos either or both places. It would help us out and also let others be able to see what we're talking about rather than trying to imagine it. As far as i know however, the ski resorts in NH have the Adaptive program running all 7 days a week. that includes (loon, waterville, gunstock, bretton woods). besides those four im not really all that connected with other programs. I'd check on their website or call for the others.

FWIW we run our adaptive program every day of our season (in bum-f**k West Virginia at that)... provided that the client has called ahead to schedule a lesson, as we have limited instructors available for such lessons. Most of our sit-ski instructors are part time, but I have been full time, and available for many of the adaptives that required my services. I get my "jollies" by providing the best lessons possible to my students, and free-riding on my own time.

As much as I love working in the Adaptive program I dont think that i can keep it up much longer. Becasue its all voulenteer I dont get paid and cant afford to go up everyweekend and pay for gas if im still in school. I think i might have to switch and start teaching but will def try to put some time in with Adaptive.

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